New Girl at CrossFit, 9 Months Later

I’m 9 months into “CrossFitting”. In 9 months I could have had another child but instead I’ve transformed into a stronger, faster, healthier version of myself. By giving myself an hour a day, 3-4 times a week at the box (CrossFit gym), I’ve become someone who can devote more energy to her kids and family.

I showed up to the gym today a few minutes early and while I was putting on my shoes, a woman nervously asked if I was the coach. I haven’t seen her before so I introduced myself and we chatted for a little bit before a coach came to give her the mandatory movement assessment before starting “regular” classes at our gym. She asked if I was new too. It took me a second to respond with, “well, sorta but not really.”

I’ve been a member since then gym first opened 9 months ago but in many ways I’m still a newbie. Sure, I can lift heavier things than *some* people but there are SO many people who can still outperform me but that doesn’t matter. Actually, if you had seen my attempt at the CrossFit Games 14.1 workout yesterday when I almost strangled myself with the jump rope (multiple times) it probably would have been very hard not to crack a smile. The key is that I have improved since my first day in June of last year, every day is a little better than the day before and I’ve never felt better.

I remember being the new girl at the gym. I didn’t know what a clean & jerk was, how to climb a rope and certainly didn’t know how to snatch (totally sounded like a dirty word to me) . I remember worrying about people thinking I was an idiot because I didn’t know how to do “a movement” or looked silly when I tripped on the jump rope every 10 seconds (that hasn’t improved much, but everything else has). Fortunately it didn’t take long to realize that no one at my gym thinks that. In fact, everyone is always willing to lend a hand and a coach is always there to answer any questions. I never had that camaraderie when I worked out a gym like the Y and certainly no one was cheering me on when I was struggling to finish a workout. Sure, CrossFit memberships are pricier than some other gyms, but my husband and I consider it an investment in our health and well-being. Worth every penny to us.

I really wish I could have sat and had a cup of coffee with that new girl today and assure her that joining No Risk CrossFit will be one of the best decisions she can do for herself and her family. That she’ll be sore for months and wonder if it will last forever (it doesn’t, you get better). That every other aspect of your life will improve when you take care of yourself: you’ll sleep better, be happier and everything else you like to do becomes easier (i.e. skiing, running, carrying your kids/grandkids/groceries). That you’ll get to know members of the box and consider many of them like family. You’ll cheer them on when they hit a new PR (personal record) and they may even bring you an iced coffee to class if they know you like to drink coffee while working out (thanks Heather!).

As someone who initially *temporarily* joined CrossFit to lose a couple of pounds and learn how to climb a rope for my first Spartan Race, I have transformed into the strongest version of myself and cannot imagine stopping this “CrossFit thing.” As a 33-year-old mother of 2, I’m proud that I’m setting a healthy example for my kids. It’s also pretty cool to climb up a rope in a few seconds. I’m looking forward to the next CrossFit Games workout being released on Thursday so I have another opportunity to be humbled and see how much improvement I can look forward to during next year’s games (trust me, it will be a lot!). For now, I’m just thrilled to have achieved a PR today on both my strict press and push press.

Here’s a video of my 25# PR at 100# (translation for the new folks: the last time I did the lift, the heaviest I could lift was 75 lbs but today I lifted 100 lbs). For the record, there are about 7 videos of me failing 105# before this one (it’s helpful to record so you can see what you’re doing wrong or well).

Comments

You’re welcome for the coffees, thanks for mine too!! ;P Great job on the 100# push press, way to go girl!!! I’m enjoying being away for a few days but can’t wait to get back to it on Thurs!! Hopefully I will see you there?!

Great work! You did almost hang yourself with the Double Unders but you did it! I love the box too. People are so nice and when compared to my other gym where I was asked ‘Why are you here?” or “You are not part of our group”. The box is so nice with people saying “Hello”. Yeah it is the simple things that I appreciated.

Welcome to Baby Gators Den

Hi there, are you wondering what is a Baby Gators Den? It's a blog I started in 2009 when I had my first child. I'm a UF Gator Alum, hence the name. I'm Joanna, a mom, wife, business owner, and occasional blogger. Thanks for stopping by!